Thanks for all the responses!! I have contacted the ABC and a brew on premise store (BrewBakers) and am awaiting a response. Here is my situation....I am often asked to brew beer for other's special events( parties, charity functions, etc). I love doing it but it does take quite a bit of my time and money. Obviously I know that I can't sell it so let's not even go there!! It would seem that as long as there aren't any special licenses/permits involved I could have a brew on premise operation. This would allow me to charge for the use of my equipment, supplies, time, etc....and still stay within the law. They would have to help in the brew process( pitch yeast) to also stay legal.

This sounds a bit suspect, almost like you're running a business renting out your equipment - might wanna think twice about this one; if might be classified as a hobby if you only make a little money off of it, like selling cabinets on the weekends, or it may be a business due to the profits; would have to talk to a lawyer about the difference.

That, and you might piss people off for charging them to use your equipment and then their beer doesn't come out right because they screwed something up.

A better idea might be to ask to be reimbursed the cost of materials (not time though) - nothing really wrong with that if you don't make any profit

This sounds a bit suspect, almost like you're running a business renting out your equipment - might wanna think twice about this one; if might be classified as a hobby if you only make a little money off of it, like selling cabinets on the weekends, or it may be a business due to the profits; would have to talk to a lawyer about the difference.

That, and you might piss people off for charging them to use your equipment and then their beer doesn't come out right because they screwed something up.

A better idea might be to ask to be reimbursed the cost of materials (not time though) - nothing really wrong with that if you don't make any profit

You just explained precisely the business concept of a brew on premises. You rent their equipment and buy the materials. It's a viable (and growing) business concept.

This sounds a bit suspect, almost like you're running a business renting out your equipment - might wanna think twice about this one; if might be classified as a hobby if you only make a little money off of it, like selling cabinets on the weekends, or it may be a business due to the profits; would have to talk to a lawyer about the difference.

That, and you might piss people off for charging them to use your equipment and then their beer doesn't come out right because they screwed something up.

A better idea might be to ask to be reimbursed the cost of materials (not time though) - nothing really wrong with that if you don't make any profit

Well it would in fact technically be a business. The Brew On Premise operations are essentially renting out their equipment to others who don't have the necessary equipment. I am curious as to what needs to happen legally, if anything, to have a Brew on Premise operation. As far as the possibility of brewing up bad beer....all they have to do is pitch the yeast. If the beer comes out bad..it would be my fault.

Well it would in fact technically be a business. The Brew On Premise operations are essentially renting out their equipment to others who don't have the necessary equipment. I am curious as to what needs to happen legally, if anything, to have a Brew on Premise operation. As far as the possibility of brewing up bad beer....all they have to do is pitch the yeast. If the beer comes out bad..it would be my fault.

Taxes, regulations, business licenses . . . you can just ask your local Chamber of Commerce what's needed; they should let you know what's needed to start a business.

I heard back from the CA ABC. There are no special regulations/licenses needed to operate a BOP in CA. They consider it a type of homebrewing and all homebrewing laws would apply. So it would appear that it would be perfectly legal for a homebrewer to charge a fee for equipment, supplies, labor, etc...in the production of beer. Provided of course that the customer helps "brew" the beer. Of course there is nothing in the text of the law that constitutes exactly what "brewing" entails.....